|
CCM poised to return to top-level motocross in 2008 |
|
Friday, 05 October 2007 |
Britain’s, Bolton based motorcycle manufacturer CCM is poised to return to top level motocross with an exciting project that has been developed behind closed doors over the last two years.
The drawing reveals a flavour of the machine that will be launched in the flesh at one of the major two wheel shows later this year. Whilst the production version is not scheduled to be on sale until the second half of 2009, CCM are set to return to the racing arena with a prototype model early in 2008.
 With a great history and heritage of racing success alongside names such as John Banks, Bob Wright, Greg Hanson and the late Donny Schmidt, CCM is currently in negotiations with a handpicked selection of top ten British motocross riders ready for their full assault on the MX1 Maxxis Championship next year. With the right results, CCM is also looking at the opportunity of making a few appearances on the World stage in 2008 in readiness for full campaigns in 2009/ 2010. Aside from contracting a suitable rider, CCM is also in the process of recruiting other key personnel to work under the guidance of newly appointed race team manager, Bob Bratcher who has more than twenty years experience on the Grand Prix motocross scene.
Just twelve handmade bikes will be produced purely for team use in 2008, these will not only hopefully propel CCM back to the winners’ rostrum, but will also be the testing ground for future production models. Whilst exact technical details cannot be released at this moment, the bikes will incorporate several revolutionary features. These include a unique bonded aluminium chassis that is being developed in conjunction with engineers from Aston Martin and Lotus, and will be a first for the motocross World. The bike has been designed to run on Bio-Ethanol E85 fuel and will use a one-piece carbon fibre sub-frame / airbox.
The CMX450, as the project has been code named, is based on a single cylinder 450cc, liquid cooled four stroke engine with five valves and a DOHC. This will be fed via a Keihin carburettor that will be supplied by the eight-litre handmade carbon fibre fuel tank. A titanium exhaust system rounds out a bike that in every sense will be a true factory special.
CCM’s Managing Director Gary Harthern confirmed the importance of this project to the company. “This is a very exciting development for CCM and one we have been working on for sometime. We still believe in the ‘race on Sunday, sell on Monday’ approach to reinforce to our customers the pedigree of the bikes we build, so it will be great to be back racing at a high level.”
“We have won domestic titles and even the World Four stroke championship with Donny Schmidt, but despite coming close, never a GP, nor a World title. Whilst we know it is going to be a tough road ahead, I feel we can be on the pace next year at British level before moving up to the World championship in 2009. I think people will be impressed at the highly technical nature of the CMX450 when it breaks cover later in the year.” Concluded Harthern.
Issued by: G2F Media Ltd T: + 44 (0) 161 763 6660 F: + 44 (0) 161 763 6663 E:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
CCM Motorcycles – Unit 1B Jubilee Works – Vale Street – Bolton – UK – BL2 6QF
T: 01204 544930 F: 01204 544931 E:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
